Source-backed decision research

Explore how AAO evaluates evidence.

Search a substantial collection of case-specific reasoning, then narrow it by petition, field, legal issue, or date.

This expanded collection favors source-backed access over perfect automated classification. Fields, labels, summaries, and relevance may contain errors; records marked ‘broader context’ need extra care. Review the cited source before relying on any record. These appeals and motions do not show approval odds or denial rates, and are not legal advice or a prediction.

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10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 19411950

NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that aligning with industry best practices and being vital to a single company project does not establish significant contributions to the field as a whole.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO found that aligning with industry best practices and being vital to a single company project does not establish significant contributions to the field as a whole.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-10_02_B5203; source_row=42274
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI11 papers

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO reserved this prong because the second-prong determination was dispositive.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO reserved this prong because the second-prong determination was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-10_04_B5203; source_row=42278
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI11 papers

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO reserved this prong as unnecessary given the dispositive second-prong finding.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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AAO reserved this prong as unnecessary given the dispositive second-prong finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-10_04_B5203; source_row=42280
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

Professional experience and success as a coach do not satisfy the original contribution element. The recommendation letters were mostly from parents offering general praise, and two letters from former students did not establish that the coaching method was an original contribution of major significance in the field.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

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Professional experience and success as a coach do not satisfy the original contribution element. The recommendation letters were mostly from parents offering general praise, and two letters from former students did not establish that the coaching method was an original contribution of major significance in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-09_03_B2203; source_row=42257
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record lacked adequate primary evidence of KGF membership and did not show outstanding achievements was a prerequisite. USA Gymnastics membership required only safety training and background checks, not outstanding achievements. No evidence established FIG or USAJ membership requirements or that outstanding achievements was a prerequisite for any of these organizations.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
The record lacked adequate primary evidence of KGF membership and did not show outstanding achievements was a prerequisite. USA Gymnastics membership required only safety training and background checks, not outstanding achievements. No evidence established FIG or USAJ membership requirements or that outstanding achievements was a prerequisite for any of these organizations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-09_03_B2203; source_row=42254
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the petitioner in major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The submitted articles either did not mention the petitioner, lacked required author information, were not about the petitioner, or were published after the petition's July 2023 filing date and thus could not establish eligibility at the time of filing.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
The submitted articles either did not mention the petitioner, lacked required author information, were not about the petitioner, or were published after the petition's July 2023 filing date and thus could not establish eligibility at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-09_03_B2203; source_row=42255
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found substantial merit but not national importance. The Petitioner relied on the importance of the industry rather than the specific endeavor, and his business plan offered generalized projections without evidentiary ties to substantial positive economic effects, U.S. job creation, or impact on an economically depressed area.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
AAO found substantial merit but not national importance. The Petitioner relied on the importance of the industry rather than the specific endeavor, and his business plan offered generalized projections without evidentiary ties to substantial positive economic effects, U.S. job creation, or impact on an economically depressed area.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-09_03_B5203; source_row=42260
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination — sustained national or international acclaim at the top of the field

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Director's reasoning flawed because it expected rival companies to use patented technology, which is contrary to how patent rights work. AAO found that the commercialization through market share, the company's global standing, the $2 billion acquisition valuation, and objective third-party media coverage naming the Petitioner as the key developer together establish sustained national or international acclaim a…

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
AAO found the Director's reasoning flawed because it expected rival companies to use patented technology, which is contrary to how patent rights work. AAO found that the commercialization through market share, the company's global standing, the $2 billion acquisition valuation, and objective third-party media coverage naming the Petitioner as the key developer together establish sustained national or international acclaim at the top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-09_02_B2203; source_row=42250
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO reserved judgment on the third prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision given the failure to establish the first prong.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
AAO reserved judgment on the third prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision given the failure to establish the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-09_02_B5203; source_row=42253
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved judgment on the second prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision given the failure to establish the first prong.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

View full reasoning +
AAO reserved judgment on the second prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision given the failure to establish the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-09_02_B5203; source_row=42252
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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